"What's Wrong With Extinction?" with Claire Colebrook
Dec 22, 2024
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In this captivating discussion, Claire Colebrook, a Professor of English and Theory at the University of Sydney, delves into the philosophical nuances of extinction. She challenges anthropocentric views, urging listeners to reconsider extinction beyond mere human survival. The conversation weaves through existential themes, exploring the implications of identity in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and the interconnectedness of life and death. Colebrook also addresses the evolving boundaries of literature, questioning how new forms can reshape our understanding of existence.
Claire Colebrook argues that extinction invites a reevaluation of anthropocentrism, urging us to consider its implications beyond mere human survival.
The discussion highlights how literature, through works like Milton's and Shelley's, shapes our understanding of human identity in relation to extinction.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Extinction
Extinction poses a complex dilemma that challenges our understanding of existence. While extinction is an inevitable aspect of ecological processes, it also raises ethical questions about life and death. The speaker emphasizes that humans are products of previous mass extinctions, suggesting that our own existence is intertwined with these events. This perspective compels a reflection on what extinction means for humanity and whether it signifies a biological endpoint or the beginning of a new relational understanding of life.
Humanity Beyond the Species
The concept of humanity has evolved from being viewed strictly as a species to understanding humans as processes shaped by their environmental and historical contexts. This shift highlights the inherent tensions between the biological definition of humans and the cultural narratives that define human existence. The intellectual discourse surrounding the human condition illustrates how literature, such as Foucault’s ideas on life, has historically contributed to the complex identity of humans, which transcends mere biological categorizations. By examining these perspectives, we can better grasp the multifaceted nature of human identity and existence.
Literary Responses to Extinction
Literary works, particularly those by Milton and Shelley, serve as cultural responses to the theme of extinction and emphasize the significance of the human archive. Milton's 'Paradise Lost' proposes a view of humanity where knowledge and thought exceed biological existence, framing human life as a pursuit of reason and understanding. In contrast, Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and 'The Last Man' explore the consequences of human creations and societal structures, challenging our perception of identity and survival amidst existential threats. These narratives underscore the role of literature in shaping our understanding of existence and the beginning of new forms of life beyond recognizable human frameworks.
The Ambivalent Nature of Archives
The human relationship with archives reveals a paradox: while archives preserve and reflect human existence, they can also dictate and limit our understanding of identity. The speaker argues that the process of becoming human is intricately linked to the narratives and symbols we inherit from our cultural and historical archives, creating a tension between self-identification and externally imposed definitions. This relationship complicates our quest for autonomy and prompts critical engagement with the very texts and traditions that shape our identities. Ultimately, the struggle against the constraints of archives reflects broader existential questions about survival, meaning, and the evolution of human consciousness in the face of extinction.
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This special episode features a replay of Claire Colebrook’s presentation of her paper What’s Wrong with Extinction?, delivered at the Time, Waste, Extinction workshop held at Penn State University in September 2024. Acid Horizon was proud to collaborate with this event, bringing together leading thinkers to interrogate the cultural, ethical, and political frameworks through which extinction is commonly understood.
In this talk, Claire challenges anthropocentric assumptions underlying ecological and ethical debates, urging a reconsideration of extinction beyond human survival and crisis narratives. The presentation offers a compelling exploration of extinction’s implications for life, ethics, and political imagination.